2019 shooting at an illegal Airbnb house party
in California.
Relationships with hosts and guests have been
rocky at times. After multiple reports of racist
behavior targeting guests, Airbnb instituted a
nondiscrimination statement that all guests and
hosts must sign. It won’t display a guest’s profile
photo until a property is booked, so a host can’t
deny a room based on a guest’s race.
And earlier this year, hosts revolted after the
company let guests cancel bookings and get full
refunds due to the pandemic. Airbnb responded
by promising $250 million to hosts to help make
up the shortfall.
Cary Gillenwater, a university professor and
Airbnb host in Duivendrecht, The Netherlands,
said the company didn’t provide much financial
assistance to him, even though he let many
guests cancel without penalties.
Gillenwater usually makes more than $21,
each year renting out a room on his property
with its own entrance. This year, he’ll be lucky to